The embarrassing secret behind controversial club's new kit

It’s an honour usually reserved for the game’s elite. The star on the shirt signifying a World Cup win, or at club level a Champions League triumph.

You pull on the new top with the sweet satisfaction of knowing what your club has achieved just months before. It’s there proudly shining bright for everyone to see.

But Forest Green Rovers have jumped on board the bandwaggon – over a year after the club won promotion from the National League!

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Not only have the League Two side just placed a gold one above their players’ names on their new kit celebrating their play-off final victory of 2017.

But they have announced there will be a grey star either side.

Confused? Well it’s all very simple really. The kit will act as a type of scratchcard, and every time they win promotion someone will get a 2 pence piece out and unveil another one.

Well, not quite. Well, you won’t be able to rub anything out if they go up – you’ll just have to buy another kit.

It’s all part of chairman Dale Vince’s masterplan to make Forest Green a club like no other.

The eco-friendly team on top of a hill in Nailsworth, a civil parish in Gloucestershire, don’t do regular.

The so-called football hippy Vince refuses to wear a tie to matches and is best pals with Salford City co-owner, Sky Sport pundit and fellow eco-warrior Gary Neville.

Not only are their players placed on a strict vegan diet in working hours, but you can’t get meat for love nor money at The New Lawn on matchdays as a fan.

An odd robot creature cuts their grass which this year includes Scottish seaweed in the turf.

Their all-new wooden stadium which has just been given the ‘green’ light is made of wood and will be called an Eco Park.

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“Unlike many clubs, the Forest Green Rovers’ kits will be worn for two seasons, making them greener for the planet – and lighter on the wallet for fans – retailing at the same price as last season’s kit,” a club statement read.

“A star is printed above the player name to signify the club’s promotion to the Football League in 2017, with two stars greyed-out to represent the chairman Dale Vince’s ambition to reach the Championship in the coming seasons.”